Millicent Starnes is a nationally accredited victim advocate through the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP) and the CEO and Executive Director of the Millicent Starnes Recovery Institute (MSR Institute), a Seattle-based organization dedicated to improving the national standard of care for survivors of sexual violence through professional education, advocacy, and trauma-informed research.

With more than a decade of experience in victim advocacy, policy development, and survivor recovery, Millicent has become a respected leader in trauma response, organizational reform, and survivor empowerment.

Her commitment to this work is deeply personal. As a survivor of both childhood and adult sexual violence, domestic abuse, and spiritual abuse, Millicent transformed her pain into purpose — building systems of justice, education, and care for others who have endured similar trauma. Her mission is to ensure that survivors no longer face recovery in silence or isolation, but within informed networks of professional and community support.

Before founding MSR Institute, Millicent co-founded Naomi’s House of Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women escaping domestic violence. She was trained as a Domestic Violence Court Advocate at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, where she was trained to work directly with survivors navigating complex legal systems. Over the years, she has collaborated with leading organizations such as the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA) and the Mecklenburg County Domestic Violence Speakers Bureau, contributing to victim support protocols, prevention education, and inter-agency coordination models.

Millicent is also a certified facilitator for Darkness to Light, a nationally recognized child sexual abuse prevention program, and has led trauma-informed workshops for youth, educators, clergy, and professionals across multiple states. With a foundation in victim advocacy and pre-law, her approach integrates evidence-based trauma education with a deep understanding of the systemic barriers survivors face. Her training programs equip professionals to recognize abuse, engage ethically with survivors, and implement survivor-centered policies within their institutions.

In 2024, Millicent founded the Millicent Starnes Recovery Institute (MSR Institute) to meet the urgent need for modern, trauma-informed training across diverse sectors. This Institute serves advocates, healthcare providers, educators, attorneys, clergy, and other professionals who interact with survivors of sexual violence. Each program combines current research, cultural competency, and professional ethics to ensure survivors receive safe, consistent, and compassionate care.

Millicent’s leadership bridges personal experience with institutional transformation. Her vision for MSR Institute is to position it as a national leader in sexual violence education and prevention — one that influences policy, raises awareness, and empowers professionals to respond to the evolving landscape of trauma and recovery.

Through her work, Millicent continues to advance a culture of accountability, education, and empathy — empowering individuals and institutions to transform how society understands and responds to sexual violence.